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Dr Claire Flemmer staff profile picture

Contact details +6469517122

Dr Claire Flemmer

Senior Lecturer in Building Technology

Doctoral Co-Supervisor
School of Built Environment

Claire is a Senior Lecturer in the Building Technology courses at Ƶ’s School of Built Environment. She has a PhD in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and 20 years of experience in industrial robotics and automation. Her research interests include the performance of manual wheelchairs, access to the Built Environment for the mobility impaired, sustainability, building energy, fire safety, acoustics and indoor air quality.

Professional

Certifications and Registrations

  • Licence, Co-Supervisor, Ƶ

Prizes and Awards

  • Shortlisted for the 2017 Ryman Prize - a $250,000 annual award for the world’s best development, advance or achievement that enhances quality of life for older people. - Ryman Healthcare (2017)

Research Expertise

Research Interests

My primary research interest is acccessibility in the built environment for people with disability, particularly those with mobility impairment.

My second research interest is in engineering-related fields including the development and commercialization of a geared manual wheelchair, artificial vision and automated inspection systems for industry.

I am also involved in a range of built environment projects in the areas of sustainability, energy use, and fire safety.

Thematics

Design – for Commerce, Community and Culture, Health and Well-being

Area of Expertise

Field of research codes
Automation and Control Engineering (091302): Autonomous Vehicles (091303):
Built Environment And Design (120000):
Ecological Applications (050100):
Engineering (090000):
Environmental Sciences (050000):
Human Movement and Sports Science (110600):
Manufacturing Engineering (091000): Manufacturing Robotics and Mechatronics (excl. Automotive Mechatronics) (091007): Mechanical Engineering (091300):
Medical And Health Sciences (110000)

Research Projects

Current Projects

Project Title: Making New Zealand’s Built Environment inclusive and accessible for everyone

This research assesses how well the Built Environment complies with accessibility legislation and meets the needs of vulnerable populations in New Zealand. It also shows where accessibility can be improved and evaluates the economic drivers for improvement. This is done through quantitative assessment of buildings and economic drivers and qualitative assessment of accessibility from stakeholders such as government organisations, vulnerable group organizations and construction practitioners. The research results will be disseminated using community workshops, practical guides to inclusive design, key statistics about disability, infographics on economic impacts of improved accessibility, videos, and academic articles.
Read Project Description Hide Project Description

Date Range: 2024 - 2025

Funding Body: BRANZ Ltd

Project Team:

Research Outputs

Journal

Flemmer, CL., & Flemmer, RC. (2024). Reinventing the wheel for a manual wheelchair. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. 19(6), 2166-2177
[Journal article]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, C., & Flemmer, R. (2023). Wind turbine infrasound: Phenomenology and effect on people. Sustainable Cities and Society. 89
[Journal article]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, C., Bakker, H., & Flemmer, R. (2021). Analysis of the stochastic excursions of tumbling apples. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture. 188
[Journal article]Authored by: Bakker, H., Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, C. (2020). Validity and reliability of life cycle assessment: A case study of new zealand dairy production. Interdisciplinary Journal of Environmental and Science Education. 16(3)
[Journal article]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Wu, Y., & Flemmer, C. (2020). The technology and sustainability of glass curtain wall: perspectives from a case study of commercial buildings in Auckland. International Journal of Built Environment and Sustainability. 7(2), 57-65 Retrieved from https://ijbes.utm.my/index.php/ijbes/article/view/495
[Journal article]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, C. (2020). Validity and reliability of Life Cycle Assessment: A case study of New Zealand Dairy Production. Interdisciplinary Journal of Environmental and Science Education. 16(3), Retrieved from https://www.ijese.com/article/validity-and-reliability-of-life-cycle-assessment-a-case-studyof-new-zealand-dairy-production-8338
[Journal article]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Mills, L., Flemmer, R., Flemmer, C., & Bakker, H. (2019). Prediction of kiwifruit orchard characteristics from satellite images. Precision Agriculture. 20(5), 911-925
[Journal article]Authored by: Bakker, H., Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, CL., & Flemmer, RC. (2016). A review of manual wheelchairs. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. 11(3), 177-187
[Journal article]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, CL., & Flemmer, RC. (2015). A comparison of kicking accuracy for elite rugby players and a robotic kicker. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport. 15(1), 112-124
[Journal article]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, RC., Flemmer, CL., & Caulton, MJ. (2014). Fast apple inspection in colour space. International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation. 4(2-4), 164-177
[Journal article]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, C. (2012). Environmental input-output analysis of the New Zealand dairy industry. International Journal of Sustainable Development. 15(4), 313-333
[Journal article]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, RC., & Flemmer, C. (2011). Innovations in fruit packing: a slow kiwifruit packing line and a robotic apple packer. International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation. 2(2), 120-130 Retrieved from http://www.inderscience.com/
[Journal article]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, C., & Flemmer, R. (2010). Letter to the Editor: Authors' response to Houlbrooke et al.. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research. 53(4), 411-412
[Journal article]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, CL., & Flemmer, RC. (2008). Water effluent from New Zealand dairy farms from 1997 to 2000. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research. 51(2), 181-189
[Journal article]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, CL., & Flemmer, RC. (2007). Water use by New Zealand dairy farms, 1997–2000. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research. 50(4), 479-489
[Journal article]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, CL. (1991). On the regime boundaries of moisture in granular materials. Powder Technology. 66(2), 191-194
[Journal article]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, CL., Flemmer, RLC., Johnson, EK., & Means, KH. (1990). Roping paths in elbows. American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Pressure Vessels and Piping Division (Publication) PVP. 193, 105-109
[Journal article]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, CL., Flemmer, RLC., Means, K., & Johnson, EK. (1988). Erosion of pipe bends. American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Pressure Vessels and Piping Division (Publication) PVP. 139, 93-98
[Journal article]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, RLC., & Banks, CL. (1986). On the drag coefficient of a sphere. Powder Technology. 48(3), 217-221
[Journal article]Authored by: Flemmer, C.

Book

Stefanitsis, M., Flemmer, C., Rasheed, E., & Ali, NA. (2024). Accessibility to the Built Environment for Mobility-Impaired Persons: A Review. (pp. 111 - 127).
[Chapter]Authored by: Ameer Ali, N., Flemmer, C., Rasheed, E.
Flemmer, RC., Bakker, H., & Flemmer, C. (2011). Object Recognition using Isolumes. In TP. Cao (Ed.) Object Recognition. (pp. 199 - 228). Croatia: Intech Open Access
[Chapter]Authored by: Bakker, H., Flemmer, C.

Creative Work

Flemmer, RC., & Flemmer, CL. (2017). A kicking robot [Artefact]. : Palmerston North
[Artefact]Authored by: Flemmer, C.Contributed to by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, R., Flemmer, C., & Bakker, H. (2017). An intelligent robot.
[Design]Authored by: Bakker, H., Flemmer, C.Contributed to by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, CL., & Flemmer, R. (2017). A novel wheel for a manual wheelchair.
[Design]Authored by: Flemmer, C.Contributed to by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, R., & Flemmer, C. (2013). A robotic apple packer.
[Design]Authored by: Flemmer, C.Contributed to by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, RC., & Flemmer, CL. (2017). A humanoid kicking robot.
[Design]Authored by: Flemmer, C.

Thesis

Caulton, M. (2012). An investigation into apple inspection in colour space. (Master's Thesis)
[Masters Thesis]Contributed to by: Flemmer, C.Edited by: Bakker, H., Flemmer, C.

IP

Flemmer, RC., Flemmer, CL., & Mui, DR.(2017). . 736746: Provisional patent # 736746: Vertical sound representation system
[Patent]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, RC., & Flemmer, CL.(2017). . 732717: A one-way clutch that can be disabled
[Patent]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, RC., & Flemmer, CL.(2017). . 730772: New Zealand: A novel wheel for a manual wheelchair
[Patent]Authored by: Flemmer, C.Contributed to by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, RC., & Flemmer, CL.(2013). . 579398: New Zealand: Method and means to orient and pack objects automatically
[Patent]Authored by: Flemmer, C.

Conference

Lee, TT., & Flemmer, C.Improving Access to the Built Environment for Manual Wheelchair Users Through Objective Route Assessment. Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering. (pp. 177 - 190). 2195-4356.
[Conference]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Chen, Z., Chawynski, G., Flemmer, C., & van Heerden, A.Health & Safety and Wellbeing Issues Confronting New Zealand Building Council Staff Involved in Compliance Issues. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering. (pp. 253 - 265). 2366-2557.
[Conference]Authored by: Flemmer, C., van Heerden, A.
Flemmer, CL.Improving the built environment for manual wheelchair users: A review. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. 1101 (3)1755-1307.
[Conference]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Bakker, H. (2021, March). Evolution from Within, Revolution from Without: Isolumes, Ideochromes and Generalised Object Recognition. Presented at National Virtual Conference on Automation, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and Mechatronics - ARAM. Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Bakker, H.Contributed to by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, RC., Flemmer, CL., & IEEE, .A Humanoid Kicking Robot. 2017 24TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MECHATRONICS AND MACHINE VISION IN PRACTICE (M2VIP). (pp. 1 - 5).
[Conference]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, RC., & Flemmer, CL. (2017). Kicking accuracy: Elite rugby players vs kicking robot. Poster session presented at the meeting of World in Union 2017 International Rugby Conference. Palmerston North, New Zealand
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Bakker, HH., Flemmer, RC., & Flemmer, CL. (2017). Coverage of apple surface for adequate machine vision inspection. 2017 24th International Conference on Mechatronics and Machine Vision in Practice, M2VIP 2017. Vol. 2017-December (pp. 1 - 5).
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Bakker, H., Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, RC., & Flemmer, CL.(2017, November). A humanoid kicking robot. 24th International Conference on Mechatronics and Machine Vision in Practice (M2VIP).
[Conference]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Bound, M., & Flemmer, CL. (2014). Occupant perspective of a five green star certified school building. In J. Mbachu (Ed.) Proceedings of the 4th New Zealand Built Environment Research Symposium (NZBERS).. : 4th Annual New Zealand Built Environment Research Symposium
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, RC., & Flemmer, C. (2010, November). Smart Homes: Present and Future. Presented at 5th Australasian Housing Researchers Conference. Auckland, New Zealand.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, CL., & Flemmer, RC.Advances in home safety systems.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, RC., & Flemmer, CL. (2009, July). New advances in packing. Presented at The Australia and New Zealand Avocado Growers Conference. Cairns, Queensland.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, CL., Flemmer, RC., & Scarfe, A. (2009, July). Robotics in horticulture. Presented at The Australia and New Zealand Avocado Growers Conference. Cairns, Queensland.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, CL., Flemmer, RC., & Scarfe, A. (2009, August). Mechanisation on the horizon – orchards of the future. Presented at The National Cherry and National Apple & Pear Conference. Hobart, Tasmania.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, RC., & Flemmer, CL. (2009, August). Mechanisation in apple pack houses. Presented at The National Cherry and National Apple & Pear Conference. Hobart, Tasmania.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Brunette, ES., Flemmer, RC., & Flemmer, CL. (2009). A reiview of artificial intelligence. Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Autonomous Robots and Agents. (pp. 385 - 392).
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Scarfe, AJ., Flemmer, RC., Bakker, HH., & Flemmer, CL. (2009). Development of an autonomous kiwifruit picking robot. ICARA 2009 - Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Autonomous Robots and Agents. (pp. 380 - 384).
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Bakker, H., Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, CL., & Flemmer, RC. (2009). A simple and accurate method for lens calibration. ICARA 2009 - Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Autonomous Robots and Agents. (pp. 257 - 260).
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, CL., Flemmer, RC., & Scarfe, AJ.(2009). Mechanisation on the horizon: Orchards of the future. . Hobart, Australia
[Conference Paper]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, RC., & Flemmer, CL.(2009). Mechanisation in apple pack houses. . Hobart, Australia
[Conference Paper]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, CL., Flemmer, RC., & Scarfe, AJ.(2009). Robotics in horticulture. . Cairns, Australia
[Conference Paper]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, RC., & Flemmer, CL.(2009). New advances in packing. . Cairns, Australia
[Conference Paper]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, CL., & Flemmer, RC. (2007). The relationship between environmental sustainability and input-output analysis of the New Zealand dairy farming sector. 2007 ANZSEE conference re-inventing sustainability: A climate for change.
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Jollands, N., Lennox, JA., Andrew, A., Forgie, V., Nielsen, K., Hodgson, C., . . . McDonald, GW. (2006, June). Eco-efficiency in New Zealand: Conceptual developments and case studies. Presented at 2nd International Conference on Quantified Eco-Efficiency for Sustainability. Egmond aan Zee, Netherlands.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, CL., & Flemmer, RC. (2005). Measures of sustainability: What do they mean and how well do they work. ANZSEE Conference Proceedings. (pp. 30 - 39).
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, CL., Flemmer, RC., McDonald, GW., Archer, RH., & Cleland, DJ. (2005). An assessment of the ecological impact of the New Zealand dairy farming sector. ANZSEE Conference Proceedings. (pp. 73 - 84).
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Archer, R., Cleland, D., Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, CL., & Flemmer, RC. (2005, December). Measures of sustainability: What do they mean and how well do they work?. Presented at Australia New Zealand Society for Ecological Economics Conference: Ecological Economics in Action. Ƶ, Palmerston North, NZ.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, CL., Flemmer, RC., McDonald, GW., Archer, RH., & Cleland, DJ. (2005, December). An assessment of the ecological impact of the New Zealand dairy farming sector. Presented at Australia New Zealand Society for Ecological Economics (ANZSEE) Conference 2005. Ƶ, Palmerston North, NZ.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Archer, R., Cleland, D., Flemmer, C.

Other

Flemmer, RC., & Flemmer, CL. (2017). A kicking robot.
[Other]Authored by: Flemmer, C.Contributed to by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, RC., & Flemmer, CL. (2011, April). Engineering disasters – Baldrick meets robots and computers. In SEAT.. In SEAT.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, CL., Flemmer, RC., & Scarfe, A. (2010, April). The autonomous kiwifruit picker. In IPENZ.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, CL. (2010, April). The autonomous kiwifruit picker.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Cleland, DJ., Flemmer, C., Forgie, V., Andrew, R., & Archer, R. (2007, June). Ecological footprint plus. In Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Presented at St. Hyacinthe, Canada.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Archer, R., Cleland, D., Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, CL. (2006, November). Presentation on the Ecological Footprint Plus (EFPlus) project..
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, RC., & Flemmer, CL.Commercialization of automated packing research.
[Other]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, RC., Flemmer, CL., & Atkinson, G.Poster entitled "The Massey Wheelchair" used to promote Engineering and Product Development at the University open days and at marketing to schools.. (pp. 1 - 1).
[Other]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, RC., Bakker, H., & Flemmer, CL.Poster entitled "The Baby" on the development of an intelligent humanoid robot used to promote Engineering and Product Development at the University open days and at marketing to schools.. (pp. 1 - 1).
[Other]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, RC., Atkinson, G., Flemmer, CL., Brunette, E., Peterson, K., Brunette, N., . . . Bardell, C.Poster on "The Automated Fruit Packer" used for marketting Industrial Automation at Massey's Open Day, the Rangitiki Big Day Out and the Taranaki Show.. (pp. 1 - 1).
[Other]Authored by: Flemmer, C.
Flemmer, RC., Hyde, S., Bardell, C., Atkinson, G., Scarfe, A., Bakker, H., . . . Flemmer, CL.Poster on "The Automated Kiwifruit Picker" used for marketting Industrial Automation at Massey's Open Day, the Rangitiki Big Day Out and the Taranaki Show.. (pp. 1 - 1).
[Other]Authored by: Flemmer, C.

Consultancy and Languages

Consultancy

  • 2022 to present - International Standards Organisation (ISO) - New Zealand member
    New Zealand Member of ISO/TC 173/SC 1 Wheelchairs Working Group that reviews wheelchair testing for the International Standards Organisation (ISO), Technical Committee (TC).

Teaching and Supervision

Graduate Supervision Statement

New PhD supervision: 3D printing concrete structures

Masters supervision:

2023: Manual Wheelchair User Accessibility and Street Design Analysis in Central Wellington, New Zealand; Accessibility of the Built environment for manual wheelchair users’

2022: Energy use performance gap for green-certified buildings.

Earlier projects:

An objective assessment of accessible routes for manual wheelchair users on a university campus

Developing a GIS for Manual Wheelchair Users' Decision-Making’

Characteristics of accidental fires in dwellings

Energy use in dwellings

Renovation of heritage buildings


Dr Claire Flemmer is available for Masters and Doctorial supervision.

Summary of Doctoral Supervision

Position Current Completed
Co-supervisor 3 0

Current Doctoral Supervision

Co-supervisor of:

  • Vincent Qian - Doctor of Philosophy
    The creation of an age-friendly community based on the integration of adaptive reuse and elderly care models
  • Asad Bajwa - Doctor of Philosophy
    3D concrete printing technology as a solution for sustainable construction in New Zealand
  • Margaret Stefanitsis - Doctor of Philosophy
    Inaccessibility to the Built Environment for Mobility Challenged People: Introducing Enforceable Accessibility to Public Buildings into New Zealand’s Law.

Media and Links

Other Links